The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) announced on Tuesday that it suspended the alcohol license of Cinema Bar in Culver City following a DUI crash that killed two people.

The bar, located at 3967 Sepulveda Boulevard, is immediately prohibited from selling alcohol for 20 days, until the suspension period ends around February 21, the agency said in a statement.

ABC stated it suspended the license because “Cinema Bar furnished alcohol to 20-year-old Bianca Lopez of Los Angeles.” Lopez who was under the legal drinking age was later involved in a deadly DUI crash that killed a 50-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy. Lopez was arrested on gross vehicular manslaughter charges.

The suspension of the ABC license at Cinema Bar follows a Target Responsibility for Alcohol Connected Emergencies (TRACE) investigation.

Through the TRACE program, ABC agents opened an investigation after the early morning DUI crash on April 24, 2021 that resulted in two fatalities and injuries to others. ABC agents worked closely with the California Highway Patrol which investigated the crash. ABC agents collected evidence and interviewed witnesses to identify where the underage driver obtained alcohol. The investigation found that a Cinema Bar employee, Roderico Castillo of Placentia, furnished alcohol to 20-year-old Lopez at the bar prior to the deadly crash.

“Preventing underage drinking and driving is a public safety priority,” said ABC Director Eric Hirata. “ABC licensees must remain vigilant and check identifications carefully to prevent these tragedies from happening.”

The TRACE program is made possible by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant provides funding for in-depth ABC investigations of serious incidents involving alcohol and minors, including car crashes.

The mission of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is to provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.

ABC is a Department of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.